Before joining the Episcopal Church, Alyssa Sali ‘26 spent ten years in Jalisco, Mexico, supporting short-term missionaries and raising two children. In her recent chat on Crossings Conversations, she shares about growing up in evangelical traditions, attending Wheaton College, and eventually finding a church that checked the boxes on “a big, long list” of justice and hospitality commitments.
When Aissa Hillebrand ‘27 and Reese Fuller ‘27 sat down with Crossings in fall of 2023 , they were fresh off their first CDSP gathered session. They recently reconvened for a chat about how the year went and what it’s like being a seminarian today. “If it looked like anything, it'd look like my desk right now,” Fuller said. “Good point … a mess, yet I know where everything is,” Hillebrand added....
In this episode of Crossings Conversations , we spoke with the Rt. Rev. Kym Lucas , bishop of the Episcopal Church in Colorado. The interview was part of our reporting for the upcoming Crossings cover feature " Early Returns: CDSP-funded curates already adding new life in new roles ." Bishop Lucas spoke to us about the value of hybrid graduates getting a chance to focus on developing their priestcraft, the importance of stable leadership at curacy sites, and her excitement for curates having the...
In the latest episode of Crossings Conversations , we spoke with the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker , bishop of the Diocese of Nebraska and recently announced nominee to the slate for 28th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. The interview was part of our reporting for the upcoming Crossings cover feature " Early Returns: CDSP-funded curates already adding new life in new roles ." Bishop Barker spoke to us about the clergy shortage in the Episcopal Church, formation models and spiritual prioritie...
CDSP is in the process of rolling out an exciting new curacy program. We spoke with three participants in the pilot stages of the program about the difference it's making for their new congregations, the value of serving with experienced mentors, and more. The Rev. Mees Tielens (MDiv ‘23) , PhD, is curate at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church in Antioch, CA; the Rev. Angela Furlong ‘23 is assisting priest and associate for youth and families at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Frederick, MD; and the Rev...
The Rev. Jessica Frederick '23 is a CDSP alum from the Diocese of Western New York and serves as minister for children, youth, and families at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Jamestown. Her interview with Crossings Conversations is the third and final in a series with students who worked full-time in ministry positions while completing the Hybrid Program. She spoke to us about bringing a community organizing mentality to parish ministry, what it means to grow with a congregation, and the gift of ...
The Rev. Katherine Frederick '23 is a CDSP alum from the Diocese of Northern California and serves as hospice chaplain at Providence Hospice of Napa Valley. Her interview with Crossings Conversations is the second in a series with students who worked full-time in ministry positions while completing the Hybrid Program. She spoke to us about meeting people where they are, theologically; serving patients' families, and sometimes her home church community, during the pandemic and 2020 wildfire seaso...
The Rev. Nora Boerner '22 is a CDSP alum from the Diocese of Iowa and serves as associate rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City. Her interview with Crossings Conversations is the first in a series with students who worked full-time in ministry positions while completing the Hybrid Program. She spoke to us about showing up for her classmates, her distinctive internship experience with Beloved Community Initiative , and putting her seminary learning into action "every single day."...
Dr. Stephen Fowl is the newly appointed president and dean of Church Divinity School of the Pacific. He spoke to us about his approach to scholarship and teaching, curriculum revision and community formation in CDSP's Hybrid Program, and what he learned as a faculty member and senior administrator in a large Jesuit university.
The Rev. Mees Tielens (MDiv '23) , PhD, is a recent alum of CDSP's residential program from the Diocese of California. Tielens spoke to us about the significance of lay leadership, a broad vision of what it means to be bi-vocational in the Church, and what congregations have to offer in a time of increasing religious disaffiliation.
Welcome to Crossings Conversations. Recently, we asked for stories about the impact of CDSP’s innovative low-residence Hybrid Program. We heard about increased access and flexibility, rigorous theological and spiritual formation, and the power of learning both in the student’s local context and connected to a tight-knit community of peers. Today, hear a portion of that conversation with a 2021 graduate, The Rev. Dr. Joél Muñoz, Curate at St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Zionsville, ...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is Reverend Dr. William Sutherland Stafford. The Reverend Dr. Stafford has taught church history at CDSP as a visiting professor for the past decade. Prior to his post at CDSP, he was a professor of church history at the University of the South and Dean of the School of Theology, David J. Ely, Professor of church history at Virginia Theological Seminary, and served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and vice president. For over five de...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is The Rev. Amy Newell-Large. A 2022 graduate of the Hybrid Program at CDSP, Rev. Newell-Large serves as Curate for Parish Life, St. John’s Cathedral Denver, CO. Side note: You will likely have learned by now that beginning in 2025, the Hybrid Program (formerly low-residence program) will be the sole model for all students in the Master of Divinity and Anglican Studies Programs. You can read about the announcement shared this past January and ...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is Michael Angel Molina, a third year student in CDSP's hybrid M.Div. program. Michael spoke with us about the importance of preachers speaking truth to power, the role that the Church has to play in a growing labor movement, and his experiences using contemporary pop music in the context of worship. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: Michael Angel Molina is a third year, low-residence M.Div. student at CDSP from Reading, Pennsyl...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is Michael Drell, a third year student in CDSP's residential M.Div. program. Michael spoke with us about translating Christian into his immediate context, his work washing and caring for the feet of those in need at the foot clinic as St. John the Evangelist's in San Francisco, and the importance of listening in a life of ministry. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: Michael Drell is a third year, residential M.Div. student at CDS...
Our guests on this episode of Crossings Conversations are the Rev. Stephen Hassett and the Rev. Michael Barham, two former parish priests who have recently joined the staff of CDSP. The Revs. Hassett and Barham spoke with us about their calls to ordained ministry, their new roles at CDSP, and the challenges and questions facing new clergy in discernment. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: The Rev. Stephen Hassett is CDSP's director of chapel and campus chaplain. He formerly served ...
Our guests on this episode of Crossings Conversations are the Rev. Dr, Randal Gardner and the Rev. Richard Schaper from Church Divinity School of the Pacific's Advancement Department. They spoke to us about planned giving, the ways and reasons people give, and the sometimes surprising opportunities to build relationships that come from such gifts. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bios: The Rev. Richard Schaper is an Episcopal priest and Certified Financial Planner. After studying Phil...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is the Rt. Rev. Kirk Smith, Church Divinity School of the Pacific's interim Dean and President, and former Bishop of the Diocese of Arizona. Bishop Smith spoke with us about about deepening the churches understanding of its history while adapting to the need of a changing world to spread the Gospel in the 21st century. He also shared about his own call and his hopes for serving the CDSP community. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bi...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is Weston Morris, a first year student in CDSP's residential M.Div. program. Weston spoke with us about his work for greater inclusivity of LGBTQ and disabled people in the Episcopal Church, Welcoming Every Body , the organization he helped found for that purpose, and the opportunities and challenged he has faced in that work at CDSP. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: Weston Morris is a first year student in Church Divinity Scho...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is Kaitlin Reece, a second year student in CDSP's low residence M.Div. program. Kaitlyn spoke with us about some formative experiences of her time studying with CDSP and their connections to her work on criminal justice reform in Nebraska. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: Kaitlin Reece is a second year student in Church Divinity School of the Pacific's low residence M.Div. program. Originally from Pasadena, she is a postulant f...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is Angela Furlong, a second year student in CDSP's residential M.Div. program. Angela spoke with us about some difficult lessons learned starting seminary during the pandemic and the power of artwork to heal our brokenness. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: Angela Furlong is a second year student in Church Divinity School of the Pacific's residential M.Div. program. She is a postulant from the Diocese of Maryland, a mothers of t...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is the Rev. Christie Fleming ‘17, Missioner for Community Care and Reconciliation in the Episcopal Church in Western Louisiana, and director of the Lighthouse , a homeless ministry in Bastrop, LA supported by the diocese. The Rev. Fleming spoke with us about her work starting the Lighthouse, learning to lead on the job, and the formation opportunities she experienced during her time at CDSP. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: The...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is the Rev. Edwin Johnson '10, an Episcopal priest, rector of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and member of the Presiding Officer's Advisory Group on Beloved Community Implementation in the Episcopal Church. The Rev. Johnson spoke with us about Episcopal efforts toward racial justice and racial reconciliation, and how his time at CDSP affected his particular involvement in this ministry. Download full episode transcri...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is the Rev. Dr. Lisa Cressman, an Episcopal priest and founding steward of Backstory Peaching, an online ministry dedicated to the initial and continual education and formation of lay and ordained preachers. The Rev. Dr. Cressman spoke with us about her work helping to cultivate effective, authentic, and joyful preachers to proclaim the Good News of Christ. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: The Rev. Dr. Lisa Cressman is an Episc...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is the Rt. Rev. Diane Bruce, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Los Angeles. Bishop Bruce spoke with us about the importance of listening, forming leaders for multicultural competency, and building beloved commity. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: Bishop Diane Bruce is currently Bishop Provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri. At the time of this interview she was Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Los An...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is the Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. Bishop Brown Snook spoke with us about forming leaders for new models of evangelism and adapting to diverse contexts. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: Bishop Susan Brown Snook was consecrated bishop of San Diego in 2019. She was ordained ot the priesthood in 2003 after graduating from Church Divinity School of the Pacific. She subsequently served a...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is the Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Bishop Jefferts Schori spoke with us about creative responses to leadership formation in response to the ever evolving ministerial contexts of the Church. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori served as the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church from 2006 to 2015. She pursued a career in oceanography,...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is the Rev. David Beckmann, a Lutheran Pastor and former president of Bread for the World, a non-profit, Christian advocacy organization dedicated to alleviating world hunger and poverty. The Rev. Beckmann spoke with us about the the Christian call to serve the needy and how we might live into that obligation. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: The Rev. David Beckmann is a Lutheran pastor and economist. He worked as a World Bank ...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. Bishop Baskerville-Burrows spoke with us about the importance of making space for various models of ministry and forming leaders capable of ministering across boundaries in places they might be uncomfortable. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: Bishop Baskerville-Burrows was consecrated bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis in 2017. She ...
Our guest on this episode of Crossings Conversations is the Rev. Shannon Kelly, director of the Department of Faith Formation and officer for Young Adult and Campus Ministries for the Episcopal Church. The Rev. Kelly spoke with us about leadership formation in the Church, making room for the Holy Spirit to work, and the importance of elevating diverse voices in the Church. Download full episode transcript here Guest Bio: The Rev. Shannon Kelly serves as the Missioner for Young Adult and Campus M...
